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| Director: Carlos Saura
Actors: La Paquera De Jerez, Merche Esmeralda, Manolo Sanlucar, Joaquin Cortes, Manuel Moneo
Studio: New Yorker Video
List Price: $19.95
Buy Used: $7.44
You Save: $12.51 (63%)
Used (11) from $7.44
Rating:  37 reviews
Sales Rank: 19993
Format: Color, Letterboxed, Subtitled, Widescreen, Ntsc
Language: Spanish (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 100 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 3.8 x 1.1
ISBN: 1567301606
UPC: 717119622930
EAN: 9781567301601
ASIN: 1567301606
Theatrical Release Date: April 25, 1997
Release Date: March 16, 1999
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: In original sleeve. Not a x-rental or x-library. Plays well or your money back. Free First Class Upgrade. We ship daily with delivery confirmation on all US orders.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 37
 An absolutely stunning true flamenco experience! October 8, 2005
authority figure
24 out of 24 found this review helpful
I first saw this film in the company of my own flamenco instructor, who actually rented it and brought it to my home. She had studied flamenco throughout her childhood in Spain, and as an adult performed professionally for many years, both in the United States and in Spain. Having her expert commentary as we watched the film together was fabulous, as she was able to explain who most of the dancers/singers are (all are highly respected and well-known artists) and how they are regarded in the flamenco world (traditionalist, modernist, etc.) as well as the many nuances and subtexts to the performances.
While the historical and biographical information supplied by my instructor enhanced my first viewing, the film absolutely captivated me on a purely visual basis. The direction and design of Carlos Saura is brilliant. In fact, if I were a filmaker I would be "borrowing" his design for my own projects! Using an abandoned railway station as his backdrop, simple screens and lighting frame and enhance the performances. And the performances, both singing and dancing, are fantastic. I will admit, the singing was somewhat of an acquired taste, but by the 4th or 5th time I watched this DVD (I purchased it immediately after my first viewing), I was enjoying the singing as much as the dancing. I think my absolute favorite performance however is when the very young Farruquito (now one of the current flamenco superstars) performs with his grandfather, the legendary flamenco master El Farruco. His pride, and love, for his grandson, and the heir to his artistic legacy of flamenco puro, is very palpable, and very poignant.
If you are a true fan of flamenco, you probably already own this DVD, as the original film was made over ten years ago. However, if you have only a passing interest in flamenco, and only plan to see one film, then I absolutely recommend this one. It unites the sheer artistic brilliance of performer and director into a truly remarkable event.
The Spirit January 24, 2000
Curt Hopkins (San Francisco, CA)
21 out of 26 found this review helpful
Having had the remarkable blessing of living with the Gypsies of Granada and having seen them spontaneously create flamenco as part of a living culture, I still thought this film, despite, or maybe because of, its "sterility" was the essence of flamenco. Like all things, flamenco gets politicized. Personally, I have no political opinion on Saura, New Flamenco, any of it. If it WORKS, it's done. This film works.
 Not what I thought... January 4, 2004
21 out of 30 found this review helpful
I have listened to flamenco music all my life..I was born in Spain, and I'm telling you that this tape is not the true flamenco you would find on the streets of sevilla, or anywhere else in the south. ALso did not have enough dancing, which is the main atraction of the flamenco music.
best modern flamenco video August 15, 2002
What? Me worry? (Mexafornia)
19 out of 20 found this review helpful
Without doubt, this is pretty close, to the pure heart of flamenco that you will find on tape. They have a group of Spaniards singing Christmas flamencas, which is really very interesting. The singing is as authentic, and as soulful, as you will find at any tavern or pena in Jerez or Cordoba, etc. As far as dancing, well it is not the primary point of this piece, but dancing in flamenco was traditionally a spontaneous action to the rhythm, like hand clapping, and a percussion instrument. To the real aficionado dancing is just part or the accompaniment to the singer, like the guitar. If you want a classic, watery interpretation of flamenco, then look to the flamenco companies' and National Ballet of Spain performances. These are for the casual observer that really does not want the pure Cante Jondo. There is a piece in the film with some modern Nuevo-flamenco dance; this was the only bad mark for this great film. If you want more fire you will have to search for old Spanish movies, most which have never been released to video, or head for Andaluz.
Learn more about flamenco April 6, 2005
E. Martinez (Santa Fe, NM)
19 out of 22 found this review helpful
To the reviewers who are complaining about there being too much singing and not enough dancing, learn what flamenco is based on. Flamenco is all about the CANTE, people...the song. The dance, the guitar, and all those fireworks are secondary to the song. True enough, this movie is an artsy version of what you find in Madrid, and doesn't have enough of the rootsy flamenco you find in Sevilla or Jerez de la Frontera. However, if you are reading this, you probably aren't interested in the more rootsy stuff.
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